SOC 212: THE FAMILY (SAMPLE SYLLABUS)
The sociology of the family is deceptively hard to study. The topic of family is familiar, as most everyone spends time in a family. Because of this familiarity, the family may seem easy to study – students can call on their own personal experiences and personal knowledge of this subject. To be sure, students’ insight into the social forces that shape their personal experiences of family is a worthwhile objective. However, this familiarity may fog our ideas and perceptions of the family. It is therefore important to draw on our own personal experiences of the family as a beginning point only. We will, as a class, develop a sociological lens through which we will ultimately understand the family, as a larger social concept.
As young sociologists, we will initially approach this course from an elementary level. However, by the end of the semester, students will be prepared to succeed in advanced family courses at Winona State University. To that end, by the end of the semester,
ü students will be able to define “family,” and understand the implications of such a definition;
ü students will be able to understand the historical context from which the family has evolved;
ü students will be able to understand the family from a sociological perspective; and
ü students will be able to understand the major demographic processes of the American family.
Additionally, this course serves to meet the requirements of the University Studies – Social Science area. The purpose of the Social Science University Studies requirement is to assist students to understand and explain (in this case) sociological perspectives regarding human behavior. This course includes requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:
ü understand humans as individuals and as parts of larger social systems;
ü understand the historical context of the social sciences;
ü identify problems and frame research questions relating to humans and their experience;
ü become familiar with the process of theory-building and theoretical frameworks used by the social sciences;
ü understand research methods used in the social sciences;
ü describe and detail discipline-specific knowledge and its applications; and
ü understand differences among and commonalties across humans and their experience, as tied to such variables as gender, race, socioeconomic status, etc.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. University policy dictates that appropriate action may be taken by the instructor as required. The Academic Integrity policy prohibits cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism. Students who violate this policy will receive a failing grade for the course and will be reported to their academic dean for disciplinary action. Details of this policy are available in the Student Conduct Policy (available at: http://www.winona.edu/studentaffairs/conduct.htm).
ATTENDANCE
You are adults and will be treated as such. You are paying (or someone is paying for you) more than $200 per credit hour for this class. It is your decision whether or not to attend class. However, it is also your responsibility to come prepared for class and for the material covered in class. It is not necessary for students to e-mail the instructor each time they will be absent from class. It is also assumed that every class meeting will include something important. If you miss class, please do not ask the instructor, “Did I miss anything important?” The answer will be “yes.” It is your responsibility to get notes from another student.
MISSED CLASSES AND MAKE-UPS
Exams will be administered on the day scheduled. Make-up exams will be administered only to those students who have received prior permission from the instructor to miss the scheduled exam or in the case of documented emergencies.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT POLICIES
It is expected that, as adults, you will show respect in the classroom for your environment, your instructor, your peers, and yourself. To this end, the following “policies” will be in place:
ü Cell Phones, iPods (or other music players), and other electronics – The use of electronics (including cell phones, iPods, and electronics) are not allowed during class. Electronics must be turned off and put out of sight during class. Please refrain from using these electronics while in the classroom. If a student must use their phone prior to the start of class, they will be asked to step into the hallway.
ü Laptops – While I promote the use of laptops among students, it is expected that students will use their laptops in the classroom for class material only.
ü Timeliness – You are expected to come to class on time and not leave until the instructor excuses the class. This also means that students should not start packing their bags until class is dismissed. Students who must arrive late or leave early are asked to sit by the door to minimize the disruption to the rest of the class.
ü Disruptions – Talking and disruptions during class will not be tolerated. This includes reading the newspaper, materials for other courses, playing on your laptop, or text messaging.
ü Respect – Respect yourself, your classmates, and your instructor. A course like sociology may spark heated debates. While you may disagree with others’ opinions or values, do not attack other individual students. Students who are not respectful will be asked to leave the classroom.
ü Classroom Environment – Students are expected to keep the classroom environment clean and neat. This means picking up trash (bottles, wrappers, paper, etc) before leaving.
Students who fail to comply with these policies will be asked to excuse themselves from the classroom.
COMMUNICATION WITH INSTRUCTOR
The best form of communication with the instructor is by visiting office hours. However, for students with minor issues, e-mail serves as a useful tool for communication. E-mails must include your name and the course and section number within the text or subject line. It is expected that students will use proper grammar (including capital letters and punctuation) and spelling in all communication with the instructor. E-mails coming from an unknown address or without a proper subject line will not be opened.
TEXTS
Textbooks are available from the WSU Bookstore.
ü Lamanna, Mary Ann & Agnes Riedmann. 2009. “Marriages and Families: Making Choices in a Diverse Society.” Thompson-Wadsworth Publishing.
ü Coltrane, Scott. 2004. “Families and Society.” Thompson-Wadsworth Publishing.
Students should bring assigned readings to class as assigned, specifically the textbook (which will be used to review tables, figures and other graphics).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance and Class Participation 70%
Class participation will include in-class discussions, group work, individual reflections, in-class work, and occasional out-of-class work. In addition, occasional reading quizzes will be completed in class and will cover the Lamanna textbook and the Coltrane readings book. Approximate Break-Down: Reading Quizzes 15%, Individual Reflections 10%, Group Activities 20%, Out-of-Class Activities 25%
Exams (3 exam at 10% each) 30%
Students will write three exams throughout the semester. Exams will cover in-class discussions, readings, and additional materials. Exams may include multiple choice, true/false, and written questions. Students are responsible for providing Scantrons.
GRADING
While the University requires letter grades it is my hope that students will develop and understand the intrinsic value of education. To that end, students will receive final letter grades based on the above course requirements and on personal motivation, development and experience. Students are welcome (and strongly encouraged) to visit with the instructor on a regular basis to confirm student progress of course requirements.
A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
F = below 59%
BRIEF COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 Defining Family
Week 2 Family Theories
Week 3 Family Theories
Week 4 Families in a Social Context
Week 5 Marriage
Week 6 Marriage
Week 7 Cohabitation
Week 8 Cohabitation
Week 9 Parenting
Week 10 Parenting
Week 11 Work and Family
Week 12 Power and Violence
Week 13 Divorce
Week 14 Remarriage and Stepfamilies
Week 15 Aging Families